Our view: Jurists inject a real chance for juveniles

Mar. 12, 2010

Some highly respected members of the criminal justice community in Rapides Parish have embarked on a course of action which, if even moderately successful, will improve the lives of thousands of young people and make the Alexandria metropolitan area a better place for everyone.

These jurists are pursuing an alternative to courtrooms and jail cells for certain juvenile offenders, those who have committed relatively minor criminal infractions but -- and this is critical -- are seen as having the potential to right themselves while they are still young enough to do so.

This would be a challenge in any community. In Rapides, it will be daunting, given the high numbers of juvenile offenders, children living in poverty and households that are broken, at best.

At the center of this hope in the face of tough reality are Daphne Robinson, assistant district attorney, and Patricia Koch, judge with the 9th Judicial Circuit.

Both understand what can happen to young offenders who have been appropriately penalized for their crimes, but, in the process, are sentenced to circumstances that perpetuate the wrong behavior.

With great care, the jurists would change the process by introducing some "restorative justice." The theory addresses the same legal points that would be weighed in a traditional, adversarial courtroom; but at the same time it applies at least as much energy to addressing the underlying causes of the offender's behavior.

The process is centered on helping the victim of a crime first and doing so by holding the offender accountable, instilling empathy for the victim and making amends. Communities -- neighborhoods, really -- are fully engaged in the process.

The approach resonates with good parents for good reason.

"If everybody was a great parent," Robinson said, "we probably wouldn't have the cases with have in Juvenile Court."

Koch agrees: "Some people just don't force their kids to get up and go to school. Isn't that insane?"

A first step toward change will come in the form of a Neighborhood Accountability Board for young offenders in South Alexandria, which, Robinson knows, has "an inordinate amount of juvenile crime."

The challenge is significant, which means the potential for change is great.